PA could see a minimum wage increase higher than the federal rate

Rep. Ed Neilson (D-Phila.) introduced legislation today that would increase Pennsylvania's state minimum wage to $7.35, a rate higher than the federal rate for the first time since 2009, according to a news release.

"The minimum wage was implemented to ensure a living wage for working families and individuals. However, many of these families who depend on full-time minimum wage incomes are still living below the poverty line,” Neilson said in a statement. "One of my legislative goals has always been to have a minimum wage that enables workers to keep their family out of poverty and provide the most basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter."

A report says the legislation would also automatically increase the state minimum wage simultaneously with the federal minimum wage, but always stay 10 cents higher.

Neilson said the proposal is to "ensure that the minimum wage keeps up with the rate of inflation," according to a release.